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Overview

Spring Brook is the premier vacation home resort in Wisconsin Dells. Set on 360 wooded acres, vacationing here is easy, the amenities appealing and the lifestyle relaxing. From fishing and swimming to golfing and dining, the scenic resort offers something for every visitor. Get away to one of over 80 vacation homes, condos or suites each fully-furnished and with its own unique view of the lake or golf course. Known as one of Wisconsin’s finest 9-hole golf courses, the meticulously-groomed course is tucked away in the tall pines of Spring Brook and is a challenge to all who play.

Enjoy the new Clubhouse Complex complete with indoor/outdoor pools, whirlpools, fitness room, and game room. For the outdoor enthusiast there are two fishing lakes, scenic walking trails, cross-country ski trails, snowmobile trails, and nearby downhill skiing. The Sports Bar & Grill is a local’s favorite for wings, burgers and brews. Don’t miss the big game, with 26 flat screen TV’s in the bar and dining room!

Have you been to Spring Brook Resort?

Note - All submissions will be reviewed by the Wisconsin Dells Visitor and Convention Bureau staff, may be shared with Chula Vista Resort Waterparks, and may be used on this web site or in other publications to help share your Dells experience with others.

Destination Wedding

2011-08-01

Here Comes the Bride

You could feel the waves of nervous energy in the room, and we do mean feel. Bridesmaids were fussing with their hair. The little flower girls were admiring themselves as they twirled in front of the large mirror. The mother of the bride was sorting through the corsages and boutonnieres. And the bride was relishing this special moment that would be the prelude to her promenade down the aisle. In just a few moments, Sarah Eberle of Wisconsin would wed Sean Sweeney, a Wisconsin transplant from Phoenix, in front of family and friends who had come in from all over the country to be part of the happy occasion.

While a one-of-a-kind moment for the wedding couple, this is the kind of scene that plays out hundreds of times a year. Glacier Canyon Lodge, part of the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort vacation compound, and the other special event venues in the Dells. The destination wedding business at the Wilderness Resort is a thing of beauty for brides and grooms, thanks to a picture-perfect setting for outside ceremonies (adjacent to their championship golf course) and a ballroom tailor-made for sit-down dining, wedding toasts, cutting the cake and dancing the first dance.

The Wisconsin Dells resort's wedding event planner Jennifer Akers, who met us at the entrance to the ballroom, was a consummate pro at exuding calm while taking care of details before the bride even realized there were details that needed addressing. Jennifer was outside straightening the white chairs along the grassy aisle, then back inside making sure the table centerpieces were just so.

The ceremony was lovely - the mother of the groom even sang - and under warm blue skies Sarah and Sean exchanged their "I do's." Then the bridal party was whisked away for photos at a scenic little spot on the shores of Lake Delton. The reception followed and it was just as nice as the ceremony. Guests danced until the last song played.

We caught up with newlywed Sarah upon her return from their honeymoon. It was fun to hear her reminisce about her big day.

Q. How did you come to choose the Dells for your wedding?

We looked at some other locations, but nothing compared to all the amenities here. We wanted it to be fun for our guests, especially with so many coming from out of town. In our bridal party alone we had people from Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Phoenix, Dallas and Milwaukee! It was my husband's good idea.

Q. Have you vacationed in the Dells before?

Yes, my family vacationed in the Dells, taking in the waterparks and Lake Delton. It is so much different from when we were little, but there's still Noah's Ark Waterpark and the Tommy Bartlett Show. The hotels are so nice.

Q. Do you think you received more RSVPs because it was held in the Dells?

We were worried that so many close friends would not come this far and were really impressed by the number that came and spent the weekend in Wisconsin Dells. Some went camping, many stayed at the hotel. Many made a weekend out of it. We had lunch with friends on Friday. Sean golfed with the dads and his friends at Wild Rock Golf Club. It gave us more time with people, especially since the wedding day flies by.

Q. What did your guests enjoy most while in the Dells, aside from the wedding of course?

People had so much fun at the waterparks, especially the families with little children. One friend from Phoenix came with three little boys - four-year-old twins and a two-year old - and they keep asking when they can come back to the Dells. We went to Monk's Bar & Grill at the Wilderness restaurant next to the resort for their dueling pianos show - my parents got up on stage, Sean's grandparents too, as both were celebrating anniversaries.

Q. Did you and Sean get to enjoy the Wisconsin Dells waterparks?

We did! We got to the resort on Thursday and spent all afternoon at the waterparks and then were back again all day Friday with our nieces and nephews. We even went again on Sunday and rented a poolside cabana. We had a blast! Everything was so well planned we had free time to enjoy the weekend.

Honestly, I can't think of a single thing I'd change. It went so smoothly. Jennifer was amazing and worked so hard. We had a little hesitation planning a wedding in another city and she was so responsive and made all the planning a walk in the park. One thing I would recommend to other brides is to not over plan - people will have a good time because there is so much to do in the area.

Q. What was your best memory of the day?

Walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing Sean at the altar. It was perfect and beautiful. That's the snapshot in my memory.

If you're a bride-to-be and interested in Wisconsin Dells for a destination wedding, click here to view our section that covers weddings in Wisconsin Dells.

Wonderful Wedding Locales

Brides and grooms have lots of choices for their wedding ceremony and reception in Wisconsin Dells. Along with Glacier Canyon Lodge, here are some lovely locales to consider:

Dells Bells Wedding Chapel - Every package here includes the minister. The chapel seats 42 and is dressed in pew bows and altar arrangements. Had your heart set on something outside? Rent their gazebo by the hour.

Spring Brook Vacation Rentals - This Wisconsin Dells vacation home community offers a choice of either their indoor banquet room with all the amenities or their exceptionally pretty white tent. Use their retreat center the next day to open gifts.

White Rose Inns - The most popular wedding setting here is the River View Wedding Chapel and Banquet Hall and it's easy to see why, what with its spectacular view of the Wisconsin River. This venue seats 100. The wedding party also has the option of renting one, two or all three of their B&B houses.

Chula Vista Resort - This Wisconsin Dells resort's location overlooking the scenic Upper Dells of the Wisconsin River is a big draw for those planning the big day. You can have your ceremony inside one of their grand ballrooms or right on the beautifully manicured grounds of their golf course in a new reception tent that holds 300.

Cold Water Canyon Pavilion - The wedding party and their guests will take a private chartered boat to this location on the east bank of the Wisconsin River. The ceremony will take place in a wonderful stone building, with the reception right there as well. Check with Dells Boat Tours®;to book this pretty little pavilion.

In the Dells, brides will also find photographers, florists, cake bakers and limousine services. You might call weddings and Wisconsin Dells a match made in heaven.

Make It A Family Reunion 2011-08-01Planning a family reunion has its own set of distinct challenges but none that keeps the organizer awake at night more than wondering whether there will be enough activities to keep everyone in the group occupied, from tots to octogenarians. That’s why this trip planner idea for holding a family reunion in Wisconsin Dells is so perfect.Read More

Make It A Family Reunion

2011-08-01

Planning a family reunion has its own set of distinct challenges but none that keeps the organizer awake at night more than wondering whether there will be enough activities to keep everyone in the group occupied, from tots to octogenarians. That’s why this trip planner idea for holding a family reunion in Wisconsin Dells is so perfect. There are activities galore, so sleep easy.

The family reunion trend in the Dells has really picked up in the last several years. Certainly the waterparks have something to do with that. There are waterpark resorts of every size and style in this community and they are vacationland for anyone traveling to a reunion with kids ages toddler through teen. But let’s not stop with the waterparks, because lots of other places are set up very nicely to accommodate big groups. In fact, some of the most popular family reunion spots are the low-key resorts that rim Lake Delton. Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort is a prime example, as are the vacation rentals through Sand County Services. Away from the lake and more secluded in the woods, Meadowbrook Resort has its own indoor water playland and several outdoor pools, and they have lots of packages with passes to the larger outdoor waterparks in the area. Their evening bonfire provides a chance to catch up with the cousins. We also suggest the Spring Brook vacation home community. They offer fully furnished homes for rental and the grounds there include pools, playground, fishing lake, golf course, restaurant and gathering rooms.

Honestly, family clan members can be as busy as they like all within the 20-mile radius of Wisconsin Dells. There’s mini-golf, go-karting, bowling and horseback riding. The area has two full-size quest-style games that blend elements of the most popular video games with wizard movies - they’re called MagiQuest and Wizard Quest. If anyone in the group likes magic, they should take a seat at the Rick Wilcox Magic Theater. Train buffs will be fascinated with the Riverside & Great Northern Railway living museum with its 15-inch steam trains that take riders on a three-mile trip through canyons, woods and rock cuts beside the Wisconsin River. The locomotive is turned on a hand-operated turntable for the ride back. For hands-on exploration, it’s none other than the Wisconsin Dells staple, the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory - Interactive Science Center.

While lots of photos are bound to be snapped over the course of the reunion, add to the album with a family photo at one of the two old-time portrait places downtown - Old Abe’s Old Time Portraits or Prof. Porter’s Old Time Portraits - where you’ll even find costumes for infants and sets large enough to fit 30 or so of your favorite relatives.

Of course, while there may be a potluck dinner or two, you’ll need some restaurant recommendations for your stay. Big groups will like Pizza Pub for its buffet, Monk’s Bar & Grill for its famous burgers and Buffalo Phil’s Pizza & Grille for its great southwestern flair.

Family Reunion That Is Sure To Make A Splash2014-03-10The Dells has long been a favorite for family reunions and it’s no wonder since it’s one of those rare places that actually lives up to the promise of having enough variety to keep everyone in the group happy.Read More

Family Reunion That Is Sure To Make A Splash

2014-03-10

It’s OK to have your solitary moments, to ponder the universe, dive into that book that’s been sitting on your nightstand for months, or have a marathon session of watching a full season of your favorite TV series.

Then there are things that just beg for company, like vacations. In Wisconsin Dells, there are signs of “togetherness” everywhere you look. At the waterparks. In restaurants. On the beaches. At events. Shopping. Sightseeing. Like we said, everywhere.

The Dells has long been a favorite for family reunions and it’s no wonder since it’s one of those rare places that actually lives up to the promise of having enough variety to keep everyone in the group happy.

Perhaps it’s that basis in family reunions that has started drawing in other groups to the Dells. An informal survey of resort and vacation home rental owners turned up fun facts that college alumni are choosing the area for reunions, only now they’re bringing their children along. Destination high school reunions? Yes, that’s a trend too. Even neighborhoods traveling together in a modern twist on the old-fashioned neighborhood block party.

Dana Krueger, vice president at Sand County Service Company, an established vacation rental company in the area, said it’s not unusual to see groups, especially extended families, staying upwards of a week during the summer months, which bucks the trend of shorter vacations. “Even the floor plans of our vacation homes were designed to encourage togetherness,” said Dana. They have one stretch of homes along Lake Delton that are within walking distance of each other. “It’s like a moving gathering for people who book these as a group, with a real neighborhood feel to it.”
At Moonglow Vacation Homes, their Moonglow Beach property on Lake Delton sleeps 18. Owner Donna Hartsing says that property even has a grandparents’ suite on the first floor. “Creating lasting memories is our job,” said Donna. She also mentioned another reason for the allure of the Dells as a location for family reunions and milestone wedding anniversaries. “We’re a central location when family members are flying in from all over the country.”

Girlfriends’ getaways continue strong, especially bachelorette parties. For the guys, it’s golf outings, with the guys grilling out after a day on the greens. At Spring Brook Vacation Rentals, where last year they added new villas to their rental options, they get lots of guys’ groups visiting, often tied to a bachelor party/golf weekend. “It’s funny, some even call these weekends their ‘manniversary’ since they come year after year with every upcoming wedding,” said Mira Lyubomirov, reservations manager. There’s also a golf course and club house with restaurant to serve guests booking one of their 70 units. “Meals are a big group event here at Spring Brook,” added Mira.

Tourism events bring people together in Wisconsin Dells as well. It’s not unusual to see several generations rolling into town together for the spring Automotion car show. Dells on Tap, a microbrew festival that takes place every autumn, has a strong following among groups of friends who share an affinity for Wisconsin craft beers.

Even the holidays are a popular time for extended families to head to the Dells. The condos and cabins at the waterpark resorts are perfectly suited for Thanksgiving meals and Christmas morning gift openings.

We asked all three for ideas on group activities to keep the togetherness theme going and the common thread was this: Guests like the manmade attractions during the day and then the chance to slow down and enjoy simple pleasures in the evening.

Here are some ideas for both.

During the Day

Go for the multi-person tube rides at the waterparks or float the lazy river together.

Enjoy an afternoon performance at the Rick Wilcox Magic Theater. Who knows, master illusionist Rick Wilcox may even make a member of the family disappear.

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